SHIFNAL TOWN 0 LICHFIELD CITY 3
J W Hunt Cup, Round 3
Tuesday 7 February 2023
A disappointing performance by Shifnal allowed a strong Lichfield side to proceed to the semi-finals of the competition. The hosts were very nearly caught out in the second minute, when a long free-kick from keeper James Beeson found Liam Kirton, but a defender nipped in to concede a corner as he was about to shoot. Shifnal hit back and were unlucky not to take the lead after 8 minutes. Luke Walsh played a superb ball through for Jeremy Abbey, but his deflected shot was cleared off the line by a defender. The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 14 minutes. Full-back Tom Hurdman’s 25-yard effort was turned aside by Town keeper Tom Clapp, but the ball was crossed back in low for KIRTON to net from close range. Very little was seen of the home side for the remainder of the first half as City were first to almost everything.
The second period started in a similar fashion, and two goals in two minutes effectively killed the game off. A cross from the left in the 51st minute was cleared to the edge of the penalty area, where JORDAN FRANCIS drove low in to the corner of the net. A minute later, the ball was played down the City right, and KIRTON lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper into the empty net. Kirton should have completed his hat-trick 3 minutes later when through with only Clapp to beat, but the young keeper saved well. 2 minutes further on, Kyle Baxter’s corner was headed against the crossbar by Dan Lomas – saving Town from further embarrassment.
SHIFNAL: Tom Clapp, Josh Green, Jack Kelly, Emem Jones, Asa Charlton, Joe Thompson, Luke Walsh, Keanu Cooper (Mikey Nelson 55mins), Tom Hill (Max Chimenes 68mins), Jeremy Abbey, Tyrone Ofori.
Subs not used: Ashley Brown; Steve Leslie; Sam Griffiths.
Caution: Jones (37mins).
LICHFIELD: James Beeson, Tom Hurdman, Luke Childs, Joe Haines, Jamie Elkes, Kyle Baxter, Jordan Francis (Josh Betson 71mins), Sam Fitzgerald (Jack Edwards 77mins), Liam Kirton (Max Dixon 79mins), Callum Griffin (Lewi Burnside 87mins), Dan Lomas.
Attendance: 101.
Referee: Lewis Mountain (Telford).
Assistant referees: Adrian Hall (Wolverhampton).
Ajay Sharma (Wolverhampton).
Shifnal Star Man: Joe Thompson.
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